Oh forgot to mention, RFU now can claim that all the touch players in England are there players. Great for the participation numbers once sport England funding money comes round again

flattered I'm sure

Wonder how the rfu explain away the fact touch "Rugby" (sic) has limited tackles and play the balls? Lol.

Touch is big in NZ where over 230,000 New Zealanders play Touch. www.touchnz.co.nz/index.php?id=12 There are a few kiwis in the NRL you'd know that started out in or played touch. Benji Marshall, Ben Ellis (ex Dragons hooker), Aaron Heremaia. I believe NZ are the current Trans Tasman champs. Though you best check that out.

Touch is big in NZ where over 230,000 New Zealanders play Touch. www.touchnz.co.nz/index.php?id=12 There are a few kiwis in the NRL you'd know that started out in or played touch. Benji Marshall, Ben Ellis (ex Dragons hooker), Aaron Heremaia. I believe NZ are the current Trans Tasman champs. Though you best check that out.

Makes you wonder if RL can claim touch participants as their own considering it is actually a modified version of RL and not RU!

It's kinda like RU clubs setting up RL clubs and claiming their participation numbers on that front!

Until the rfl grows a pair, probably not!

That boat has sail I'm afraid, RFU and o2 have it wrapped up now, they have the bulk of the teams playing "o2 touch"
that is associated with RFU, the balls, team bibs, flags to be placed around the pitches all display "RFU o2 touch"

Annoyingly touch has been largely ignored by the RFL and the clubs have been built up by ehnthusiastics and along come the RFU throw some money at the clubs and get them signed up to only play "o2 touch" so now the RFU can happily claim that their games playing figures are even bigger

Check out the website that mustn't be named and search

Untouchables - Introducing the Team

Its more like a hollywood blockbuster used to promote o2 touch, I wonder who people will associate this rapidly expanding game with ????

Wouldn't take much for the RFL to scupper them and let the world know touch rugby is in fact a variation of RL. It will happen in Oz now and there will be clear and obvious link between touch and RL. It is a variation of RL and I'd be making sure the country knew that if I was the rfl. In fact could you imagine the choking on the pims if the rfl ran "play RL" adverts with touch rugby website link!

Is there anything to stop the rfl from calling it touch rugby?

No nothing. It will be interesting to see if the name in oz changes from touch footy to include league or RL. Reality is rfu's touch "rugby" is the same game and rules as touch footy which is a variation of RL rules. I find it highly amusing that the RFU ate running a RL competition!